The Canadian government has committed $80.5 million towards enhancing security conditions in Haiti, which has been plagued by severe gang violence, according to Global Affairs Canada. This funding will support a multinational security mission led by Kenya, aimed at bolstering the efforts of the Haitian National Police. The mission will focus on providing training, communications, logistics, and expertise in areas such as human rights diligence. The announcement follows Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s participation in an international pledging event at the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Brazil, where support for Haiti was a key agenda item.
The Kenya-led mission, although not under the United Nations, received authorization from the UN Security Council in October, following a request from the Haitian government in 2022. However, legal hurdles, including a Kenyan court ruling in January, delayed the deployment of Kenyan police officers. Last week, Haiti’s government announced efforts to finalize an agreement with Kenyan officials to facilitate the deployment, setting a deadline for the arrival of Kenyan forces.
Minister Joly emphasized Canada’s commitment to collaborating with Kenya and other partners to ensure the success of the mission and reinforce collective efforts. Since the assassination of Haiti’s president in 2021, gang dominance has intensified, prompting warnings from the UN about the deteriorating situation, including widespread hunger, healthcare collapse, and alarming levels of sexual violence.
- Additionally, Global Affairs Canada announced the allocation of $42.5 million to various UN initiatives, with a significant portion directed to the United Nations Office for Project Support to equip the Haitian National Police with personal protective gear, vehicles, and logistical support. Part of the funding will also address gender-based violence associated with gangs. Furthermore, Canada earmarked funds for an anti-corruption program and initiatives to bolster security along Haiti’s borders.